Trojans Fall at UAB in Wild Finish

Tuesday, April 3

Birmingham, Ala.

4:00 p.m.

Troy University

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Photo by: Thomas Graning

4/3/2012 6:06:00 PM | Softball

By: Matt Mays

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Troy softball team was locked into a scoreless game all day until a unusual play at home plate in the sixth inning gave UAB a 1-0 win at the UAB Softball Field on Tuesday.

Ashley Rainey (11-6) went the distance for the Trojans and was untouchable for five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. The freshman picked up a strikeout to get the second out of the inning with the bases loaded.

After the ball was back to Rainey in the circle, Catherine Crawford who was at third for the Blazers broke for home. Rainey was ruled to be out of the circle and the run went up on the board for UAB, marking the lone score needed for the victory.

Troy catcher Hannah Renn was unable to get the tag down on Crawford but did throw out the runner going from first to second to end the inning.

Rainey finished with seven strikeouts in a complete game effort and just one walk – an intentional walk – with five hits.

Amber Torres (4-3) got the win for UAB on a four-hit effort with three strikeouts and one walk. Kayla Orr had two hits for the Blazers while Renn had two for the Trojans.

The Trojans had their chances early as they got leadoff base hits in both the first and second innings. Troy advanced the runners to third and second, respectively, but couldn't scratch across a run.

Their big chance came in the fourth inning when Sarah Shields sent a two-out double to the left centerfield warning track with Jaycee Affeldt on first base. Affeldt rounded third and headed home, and seemed to be in the clear when the throw was up the third base line. However, UAB catcher Mandy Lowman placed a good tag and got the Blazers out of the inning.

Rainey rolled along as the offense struggled to pick up a timely hit. Through five innings, the freshman surrendered just three hits and struck out six with no walks. After surrendering a one-out single in the third, Rainey sat down seven straight Blazers until a two-out single that didn't advance past first base in the fifth inning.

The freshman ran into trouble in the sixth however. Two singles up the middle and an intentional walk to Lowman loaded the bases with nobody down, but Rainey appeared to work out of the jam. She got the next batter to pop up to shortstop for one out and got a strikeout for the second out that set up the Blazers winning play.

The Trojans return to action weekend when they travel to take on WKU in a three-game Sun Belt series. The Trojans and Lady Toppers will get things started with a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 5:00 p.m. and conclude with a single game on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

For more information on Troy Athletics, be sure to visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics. For in-game updates from the softball diamond, follow Troy Softball on Twitter at @TroySBall.